You and many others have written over the last year about a wide range of subjects, from science and sex education standards to school finance to selection of an unqualified person to be Kansas Commissioner of Education and now that Commissionerâ€™s attempt to introduce legislation to provide vouchers and charter schools outside the supervision of local boards of education. All of your messages had one thing in common - you strongly disagreed with the actions of the six-member majority on the Kansas State Board of Education and the new Commissioner of Education. You are not alone.

Please meet the Kansas Alliance for Education (KAE) a group of individuals who has come forward to say enough is enough. The KAE does not consist of professional activists or political operatives but rather citizens willing to take a leadership role to ensure high quality education for all students.

The KAE is non-partisan and is committed to supporting the right candidates in the Kansas State Board of Education races in 2006. The Kansas Alliance for Education has adopted the following principles:

Public education is for all children

Moderate and informed educational policy best prepares children for the 21st century

Quality public education is the key to social and economic vitality

The group has formed a Political Action Committee to raise money to inform the public about issues pertinent to the State Board of Education. The money is needed to pay for television ads, newspaper ads, and direct mailings to educate about the issues; all this will be expensive but necessary to ensure a large voter turnout for these important races. The KAE will also stress the urgency of voting in the 2006 Primary and General Elections and provide information about KAE endorsed candidates. This is going to be true grass roots politics and it wonâ€™t happen without your help. Please visit http://www.ksalliance.org today and make a contribution.

The KAE intends to use electronic communication for fundraising as much as possible because it is so cost effective and easy to use. And here's another benefit â€“ electronic communication gives supporters like you more opportunities to get involved. If you'd like to revise this message with your personal comments and forward it to others in your address book, this message can reach much farther and I implore you to do so.

Please help this brave group of citizens make a difference in Kansas public education. Thank you for your message. Your contribution will help retainJanet Waugh, the moderate past president of the board. And help defeat the other four members up for election in 2006: John Bacon, Iris Van Meter, Ken Willard, and Connie Morris, all members of the radical six member majority who have done all those things you strongly object to. Please contribute today; itâ€™s really important.

Sincerest regards,

Sue Gamble

PS I know many of us feel really stretched financially; however, returning Kansas education to a common sense moderate base is imperative. The size of the contribution isnâ€™t as important as having a whole lot of contributors; however, for those who can afford more there is no limit on contributions. Currently, KAE estimates they will need over $500,000 to accomplish the goal of defeating the four radicals and retaining Janet Waugh. So, please dig deep and ask others to do the same.